Seed catalogs arrive and garden planning for next spring and summer can begin in late autumn and winter. Choosing Seed. Choose seed from seed companies that are long on information; look for seed packets or seed catalogs that tell you what it takes to start seeds and grow plants: germination temperature and days to germination
Soil pH Test Kit Soil pH is the measure of the relative amount of soil acidity or alkalinity. A soil’s acidity or alkalinity can influence the availability of elements or mineral nutrients in the soil that support plant life and growth. Plant roots absorb the molecular forms of soil nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus
Add peat moss to lower soil pH The results of a soil pH test will indicate how acid or alkaline your soil is. Organic soil amendments are the best way to adjust soil pH. Adjusting soil pH is not an exact science and takes time. A pH test number that is more than 0.5 on
Vegetables and other plants grow best when the soil pH is optimal for the plants being grown. It is important to match a plant to the soil pH or to adjust the soil pH to a plant’s needs. Soil pH is the measure of the soil’s acidity or alkalinity. Soil acidity and alkalinity is measured
Leaves in wire cylinder will decompose into leaf mold–a soil conditioner and mulch. Leaf mold is shredded flakes of partially decomposed leaves and tree litter. It is brownish black and on its way to becoming humus, one of the building blocks of great soil. Leaf mold can be used as a soil conditioner or as
The health of a plant depends upon its roots. The yield of vegetables and fruits depends upon roots. Roots supply water and nutrients to a plant. Roots also support and anchor a plant to the soil. A root originates at the lower portion of a plant embryo or seedling. Root tips and tiny root hairs—which
Asparagus requires a carefully chosen site. It’s a perennial crop that is going to grow in the same spot for up to 20 years. To produce a crop that will give you plenty of spears each year, you need to plant a whole bed of asparagus at one time. (Plant ten plants for each person;
Establishing a seed planting calendar is one of the oldest and wisest gardening maxims. The success of many vegetable and flower sowings is getting the seed started at the right time of the year for germination, growing, and harvesting. Mark on your garden calendar when seeds should be sown and when you actually sow them.
Plant rhubarb in late winter or early spring. Rhubarb is a perennial so choose a spot where it can grow and thrive for up to 10 years. Three or four root crowns will produce all of the rhubarb you can eat. Bare-root rhubarb rhizomes are most readily available for sale in nurseries in late winter
Rhubarb is among the first crops of the year–along with asparagus and radishes. Use rhubarb that is firm like celery, not limp. You may want to “string” the rhubarb stalks before cutting them. Just hold the end of a stalk between your thumb and a paring knife and pull the strings down the length of
